Exploring the Benefits of the Support at Home Program 2025

Key Highlights

Here is a quick look at the upcoming changes to in-home aged care:

• The new Support at Home program, an initiative by the Australian government, begins on 1 November 2025.
• This program will replace existing schemes, including Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC).
• It introduces a more flexible structure with eight funding levels and quarterly budgets.
• A new, single assessment process simplifies access to home care services.
• Existing recipients will transition automatically with a ‘no worse off’ guarantee for contributions.
• You can find official information on the My Aged Care website.

Introduction

Australia’s aged care providers are set to change in a big and positive way. The new program for home care will start in late 2025. It will be made to give older Australians more choice, more control, and more flexibility. The main aim of aged care services is to help you stay safe and live on your own in your home, to keep your independence for as long as you can. In this guide, you will find out about the new program and what these good changes bring for you and your family.

Understanding the Support at Home Program 2025

The new Support at Home program in 2025 is a key part of Australia’s aged care reforms, following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Its goal is to create a simpler, fairer system of aged care programs by combining existing programs into one improved service.

A new Aged Care Act will also be introduced, prioritizing the needs and rights of older people. Here’s an overview of the program’s aims and eligibility.

Key Objectives and Vision for In-Home Aged Care

The main goal of the new program is to build a system that puts you first. It comes from the idea that there has to be a more person-focused way to look at aged care quality. The new way is about respecting the rights of older people and giving them more say in the support they get. In 2025, new pricing approaches for Support at Home services will be introduced by the Aged Care Pricing Authority to align with these key objectives. These updates will focus on greater transparency and flexibility, ensuring that older people can access services tailored to their individual needs while understanding the costs involved.

The main goals of this updated system are to make home care: Easier for you to understand and get. Focused on giving high-quality help that makes your well-being better. Kind to your personal dignity, your choices, and your need for restorative care. To achieve these objectives, there is a consultation process for the Support at Home service list planned for 2025. This process will allow individuals and stakeholders to provide input, ensuring that home care services reflect the needs and preferences of the community.

• Easier for you to understand and get.
• Focused on giving high-quality help that makes your well-being better.
• Kind to your personal dignity, your choices, and your need for restorative care.

This new program moves away from a one-size-fits-all plan. Instead, it aims to match your care to your own needs, so you get the help that fits you best. This is all about lifting the quality of aged care and putting the rights of older people at the center.

Who is Eligible to Access the Program?

Eligibility for the Support at Home program is determined by an aged care assessment, which reviews your needs to match support to your lifestyle. Older people who wish to live at home, especially in their last months of life, and need help may qualify.

If you already receive government support, a ‘no worse off’ rule ensures a smooth transition. As of 12 September 2024, if you: Receive a Home Care Package, Are on the waiting list, you may be eligible for the Support at Home program, which will replace the Home Care Packages Program. In 2025, a variety of approved organisations will provide services under the Support at Home program, including existing home care providers and new service organisations selected by the government to deliver care and support to older Australians. The government will publish a full list of participating providers closer to the program rollout.

• Receive a Home Care Package,
• Are on the waiting list,
• Or have been approved for a package,

You will pay the same or less under the new program, helping maintain stability.

Major Changes Introduced in 2025

The aged care reforms introduce major changes to home care. The new program replaces the old Home Care Packages system with a more responsive, needs-based model. Funding for services is updated, service categories are clearer, and the needs assessment process is simpler.

These changes give you more control and transparency over your care. This guide explains how the new approach differs from the old one and what the transition means for current participants.

Core Differences from Previous Home Care Packages

One of the most significant changes is the move away from the four-level Home Care Package Level structure to a more nuanced eight-level system under Support at Home. This allows for new support to be more closely tailored to your specific needs. Instead of annual budgets, funding will now be allocated quarterly, offering greater flexibility to respond to changing health requirements.

Furthermore, the service list is simplified into three clear categories, making it easier to understand what support is available. Funding for equipment and home modifications will also be managed separately, so you no longer have to choose between essential aids and personal care.

Here is a summary of the key differences:

Feature	Home Care Packages	Support at Home program
Levels of support	Four levels	Eight levels
Funding structure	Annual budgets	Quarterly budgets with some rollover
Assessment process	Multiple systems	Single Assessment System
Service categories	Mixed and sometimes confusing	Clinical, Independence, Everyday Living
Equipment/modification funding	From core budget	Separate, upfront funding
Contribution model	Flat fees	Means-tested by service type

Transition Process for Existing Recipients

If you get a Home Care Package now, you do not need to worry. The move to the new support at home program will be easy for you. The government has said you will go into the new program without having to do a new test. This means your home care will keep going, with no breaks.

The government has made some promises to help you during this change:

• Your home care funding will not go down.
• Any unspent funds that you have will still be there in the new program.
• If you were part of the system before 12 September 2024, the ‘no worse off’ rule will make sure your costs for care do not go up.

They promise to keep your support steady and fair as you join the new support at home program. You can focus on your health and life because of this.

Types of Services Available Under the Support at Home Program

The Support at Home program puts aged care sector services into three clear categories. This home service list makes it easier for you and your provider to know what is needed and plan the right care. Each service type helps with a different part of your well-being. It can help people with daily tasks or look after their health needs.

This new system makes sure money goes to what is most needed. It helps when you want to stay independent, manage health issues, or just make life simpler. Now, let’s look at each category on the service list more closely.

Personal and Domestic Assistance

This support helps with two main things. These are ‘Independence Support’ and ‘Everyday Living Assistance’. These services are made to give you help with everyday jobs. They also make sure you keep up your way of living and stay in touch with other people. You may have to pay some of the cost if your income is looked at.

The support you can get includes:

• Personal assistance: Help with things you do every day, like showering and getting dressed.
• Domestic assistance: Help with jobs around the home, like cleaning and laundry.
• Social connection: Helps to get to appointments or join in community activities.

Special money for assistive technology and home modifications, like ramps or grab rails, will be given by itself. This way, you can get the things you need for your home or your life without this affecting your other care budgets.

Allied Health, Nursing, and Clinical Services

In the ‘Clinical Care’ area, you get many health services right at your house. A big benefit of the new program is that the government pays for all the services in this group. You do not have to pay for any part of it. This lets everyone get important health help when they need it.

The clinical care services you can use are:

• Nursing care: Registered nurses come to help with wound care, giving medicine, and other needs.
• Allied health: This covers things like help from physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and podiatrists.
• Specialised support: Includes help for continence and dementia care.

There are also special ways for short-term care in the new program. You can get into a twelve-week restorative care program to help take back your independence after being sick or staying in the hospital. If needed, there is end-of-life care to give comfort and support to you and your family.

How to Apply and Navigate the Assessment Process

Accessing the new program is now easier because there is a single assessment system. In the past, people had to go through many different ways to get help. Now, everyone only has to complete one aged care assessment. It is simpler and clearer. This change helps all of us get a more even and person-centred experience with aged care.

Most people will start by using the My Aged Care website or calling the contact centre. An assessor will then talk with you to get to know your needs. They will help you figure out the right level of support. The aged care website is made to help people at every step. This new program is here to make things better for us all.

Step-by-Step Application Procedures

Applying for in-home support is simple and ensures you get the care you need. Here’s how it works:

• Initial contact: Reach out to My Aged Care online or by phone to register and discuss your needs.
• Assessment: An assessor will review your situation, either at home or over the phone, using updated guidelines.
• Outcome: You’ll be informed about your eligibility and the level of funding available.

Services Australia will also review your finances with a means test to determine if you need to contribute to care costs.

Assessment Criteria and Prioritisation

The new aged care assessment is more thorough and consistent, using an Integrated Assessment Tool to evaluate your health and daily needs. This approach prioritizes those with the greatest needs, reducing wait times.

After assessment, you’ll be placed in one of eight funding tiers, ensuring support matches your requirements. Key features include:

• One simple assessment for all applicants
• Improved prioritization for urgent cases
• Eight funding levels for tailored support

This system ensures fair aged care and provides timely, appropriate assistance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Support at Home Program 2025 is designed to revolutionize aged care by streamlining access and enhancing the quality of support available. With a focus on individualized needs and efficient processes, this initiative empowers seniors to receive assistance that is both timely and tailored to their specific circumstances. By leveraging technology through My Aged Care, individuals can easily navigate the application process while ensuring their voices are heard throughout their care journey. As our population ages, these advancements in aged care will not only alleviate pressure on providers but also foster a sense of dignity and autonomy for older Australians.